Two suspects accused of being involved in producing illegal moonshine in Landrum turned themselves into Spartanburg County authorities last Thursday, July 7.
Larry Edward Hyder, 53, of 321 Plantation Drive in Landrum was charged with three counts of selling/manufacturing/storing unlawful liquor, according to sheriff’s office reports.
Carroll Dean Campbell, 72, of 316 S. Howard Ave., was charged with two counts of selling/manufacturing/storing unlawful liquor, sheriff’s reports said.
Also charged in connection with the moonshine still bust was Michael Eston Blackwell, 44, of 6085 New Cut Road, Inman, S.C. Blackwell was arrested on June 30 and charged with 13 counts of selling/manufacturing/storing unlawful liquor and sale of a distillery following an undercover investigation conducted by the sheriff’s office and the S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
Investigators had said on June 30 following Blackwell’s arrest that Hyder and Campbell had agreed to turn themselves in the following week.
Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright announced on June 30 that investigators had seized $150,000 in cash, four vehicles and 1,500 to 2,000 gallons of white liquor made from corn. The distillery was found on Hyder’s Plantation Drive property near Landrum.
Master Deputy Tony Ivey said last week that the illegal moonshine was taken to a local waste disposal facility for disposal.
Hyder and Campbell were booked into the Spartanburg County Detention facility last Thursday, July 7 and were released on $5,000 bond later that day. Blackwell was arrested on June 30 and released the same day on a $14,000 bond.
If convicted, the men face fines of not less than $600 or six months in prison for each count of sale/manufacture/sale of unlawful liquor.
Wright said on June 30 it was one of the largest moonshine busts in Spartanburg County history.